The effects of vagal nerve stimulation in focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion model

Abstract

Aim:This study aimed to investigate the effects of vns in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (mcao/r) rat model of ischemia based on behavioral, morphological, and molecular approaches. Ma terial and methods: wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups: ischemia-reperfusion (i/r), i/r+vns, and sham (for i/r). each group was further divided into two subgroups for the assessment of neurological deficits and infarct area, or biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress. ResultL:the infarct area and neurological scores were significantly lower in i/r+vns group compared with the i/r group. mda levels were significantly higher in i/r group compared to control and i/r+vns groups in the cortical and subcortical specimens. there were also betweengroup differences in terms of gsh levels. gsh levels were higher in sham group compared with and i/r and i/r+vns groups in cortical specimens whereas these levels for lower in i/r group compared to control and i/r+vns groups in the subcortical specimens. sod activity was higher in control group compared to i/r and i/r+vns groups both in the cortical and subcortical specimens. there was no difference between i/r and i/r+vns groups in neither cortical nor subcortical specimens. Conclusion:the neuroprotective and antioxidant properties of vns suggest its efficacy as a potential anti-ischemic treatment.